Use and Care Guide

4
SHOWER SYSTEM
12.1 Schluter
®
-KERDI-BOARD
Property Method Value
Water vapor permeance ASTM E96
1
0.36 perms - 1/2" (12.5 mm)
Thermal resistance (R-value) ASTM C518
R 9.1 – 2" (50 mm)
R 2.2 – 1/2" (12.5 mm)
R 0.9 – 3/16" (5 mm)
Service temperature range -58
°F to 158°F (-50°C to 70°C)
Flame spread/smoke developed ASTM E84 Pass
2
Thermal barrier evaluation NFPA 286 Pass
2,3
Waterproof Building Panel
The KERDI-BOARD waterproof building panel
simplifies shower installation by combining
the tile backing and waterproofing installation
into a single step. KERDI-BOARD gives tile
setters more control over their projects by
providing them with the means to simply
and easily create ideal substrates for tile.
Unsuitable substrates can be remedied and
new substrates can be created while keeping
the requirements of the tile covering in mind.
Application and Function
12.1 Schluter
®
-KERDI-BOARD is a
multifunctional tile substrate and building panel,
which can also be used for creating bonded
waterproofing assemblies with tile coverings.
It consists of an extruded polystyrene foam
panel, with a special reinforcement material
on both sides and fleece webbing for effective
anchoring in thin-set mortar.
With the available panel thicknesses of
3/16", 3/8", 1/2", 5/8", 3/4", 1", 1-1/2",
and 2" (5, 9, 12.5, 15, 19, 25, 38, and
50 mm), KERDI-BOARD covers a broad
range of application areas for creating flat,
level, plumb, square, and dimensionally stable
substrates for the installation of ceramic and
natural stone tiles. With suitable preparation
of the abutting seams and joint areas, the
panel may be used for bonded waterproofing
assemblies.
KERDI-BOARD is suitable for: creating tile
substrates on masonry walls, wood or metal
framing, and other finished wall surfaces;
creating straight or curved partition walls;
creating straight or curved bathtub and shower
surrounds; concealing pipes and columns; as
well as creating bathtub platforms, vanities,
storage shelves, countertops, and various
other bathroom structures.
The boards are simply cut to size with a utility
knife. The gridlines, which are printed on the
surface, are helpful for neat and quick cuts
and installation. KERDI-BOARD can be fully
adhered in wall areas or spot-bonded with
thin-set mortar. If necessary, the material
may be secured with additional wall anchors.
In the case of stud framing, KERDI-BOARD
is attached with screws and washers from
the matching hardware system. Tiles can be
installed directly over KERDI-BOARD using
the thin-set method.
L-shaped and U-shaped KERDI-BOARD
panels are available for creating pipe and
column coverings, and grooved panels
are available for creating curved elements.
Schluter
®
-Systems also offers profiles and
attachment hardware for wall connections
and finishing edges, as well as matching wall
anchors and screws.
Material Properties and
Areas of Application
KERDI-BOARD is made from extruded
polystyrene foam, with a cement-free
reinforcement layer laminated to both sides
and an anchoring fleece webbing. The
surface of the board has gridlines consisting
of 3/8" x 3/8" (10 x 10 mm) squares printed
on one side.
KERDI-BOARD is waterproof and vapor
retardant and can withstand all chemical
stresses that typically occur in conjunction
with ceramic tile coverings. KERDI-BOARD
may be used in bonded waterproofing
assemblies where required. KERDI-BOARD
is completely flat and will not warp, even
with one-sided exposure to temperature
and moisture fluctuations. It will not rot or
decay. KERDI-BOARD can be used in a
multitude of different application areas. In
special cases, the suitability of the material
must be verified based on the anticipated
chemical and mechanical stresses. The
information provided below is intended as
general guidelines.
Structures on which KERDI-BOARD is to
be installed must be stable and meet any
other project-specific requirements. Select
a suitable material thickness if using KERDI-
BOARD for the construction of freestanding
partition walls, shelving, or similar structures,
and use reinforcement profiles as necessary.
Arrange supports made of KERDI-BOARD at
regular intervals consistent with conventional
building practices. Select the material
thickness and installation method depending
on the evenness of the substrate. KERDI-
BOARD can be spot-bonded to walls to
correct substrate variations or fully embedded
in thin-set mortar where walls are sufficiently
even and plumb.
Maintenance
Storage
KERDI-BOARD should be stored flat. In case
of outdoor storage, protect the material from
direct sunlight and weather exposure.
Shower Drains
Conventional two-stage drains are designed
to connect to shower pan liners below the
mortar bed and do not allow a secure,
watertight connection to bonded waterproof
membranes at the top of the drain assembly.
4
8.2 Schluter
®
-KERDI-DRAIN
Schluter
®
-KERDI-DRAIN-H
8.7 Schluter
®
-KERDI-LINE
1
Using the desiccant method at 100°F (38°C) and 90% RH
2
Per International Building Code Requirements
3
Porcelain tile used as thermal barrier over 1/2" (12.5 mm) -thick KERDI-BOARD on wood framing
12.1 Schluter
®
-KERDI-BOARD